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The history of Facebook traces its growth from a college networking site to a global social networking service. It was launched as TheFacebook in 2004, and became Facebook in 2005.[1]
Founded by Mark Zuckerberg and his college roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes[2] at Harvard University, it was initially limited to Harvard students. It expanded to other colleges in the Boston area, the Ivy League,[3] and gradually most universities in the United States and Canada,[4][5] corporations,[6] and by 2006 to everyone with a valid email address along with an age requirement of being 13 or older.[7][8] Facebook introduced key features like the News Feed in 2006, which became central to user engagement. By 2007, Facebook surpassed MySpace in global traffic and became the world's most popular social media platform. The company focused on generating revenue through targeted advertising based on user data, a model that drove its rapid financial growth. In 2012, Facebook went public with one of the largest IPOs in tech history. Acquisitions played a significant role in Facebook's dominance. In 2012, it purchased Instagram, followed by WhatsApp and Oculus VR in 2014, extending its influence beyond social networking into messaging and virtual reality. These moves helped Facebook maintain its position as a leader in the tech industry.
Despite its success, Facebook has faced significant controversies. Privacy concerns surfaced early, including criticism of its data collection practices. The Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal in 2018 revealed misuse of user data to influence elections, sparking global outcry and leading to regulatory fines and hearings. Facebook has been accused of enabling the spread of misinformation and hate speech and influencing political outcomes, prompting debates about content moderation and social media's role in society. The platform has frequently updated its algorithms to balance user experience with engagement-driven revenue, but these changes have sometimes drawn criticism for amplifying divisive content. Facebook's role in global events, including its use in organizing movements like the Arab Spring and, controversially, its impact on events like the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar, highlights its dual nature as a tool for empowerment and harm.
In 2021, Facebook rebranded as Meta, reflecting its shift toward building the "metaverse" and focusing on virtual reality and augmented reality technologies. Facebook continues to shape digital communication, commerce, and culture worldwide, with billions of users making it a key organisation in the 21st century.
- ^ Phillips, Sarah (July 25, 2007). "A brief history of Facebook". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.
- ^ Carlson, Nicholas (March 5, 2010). "At Last — The Full Story Of How Facebook Was Founded". Business Insider. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
- ^ "Company Timeline" (Press release). Facebook. January 1, 2007. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
- ^ Rosmarin, Rachel (September 11, 2006). "Open Facebook". Forbes. New York. Retrieved June 13, 2008.
- ^ Nguyen, Lananh (April 12, 2004). "Online network created by Harvard students flourishes". The Tufts Daily. Medford, MA. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2009.
- ^ Lacy, Sarah (September 12, 2006). "Facebook: Opening the Doors Wider". BusinessWeek. New York. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
- ^ Abram, Carolyn (September 26, 2006). "Welcome to Fb, everyone". The Facebook Blog. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
- ^ "Terms of Use". Facebook. November 15, 2007. Retrieved March 5, 2008.